Picks Theorem

I discovered that this theorem is suitable to find the area of any polygon that has its vertices on a consistently spaced array of points. Through discovery and practice I was able to find multiple formulas to quickly calculate the area of a polygon. After experimenting with the pegs on a geoboard, I found a way that best showed the area increase of when 1 boundary peg was added.

Interior pegs (i) = 0

Boundary Pegs (b) Area (A) 3 4 1 5 1 6 2 7 2 8 3

One interior peg is added in this exercise. We have already discovered that the area increase by when one boundary peg is added. In this activity we discovered that the area increased by adding one interior peg the area increased by one. It is necessary to recognize that I was unable to figure out how to draw the first column boundary pegs (b) =3. Interior pegs (i) = 1 Boundary Pegs (b) Area (A) 3 1 4 2 5 2 6 3 7 3 8 4

+ 1 boundary peg (b) = area (A) increases by + 1 interior peg (i) = area (A) increases by 1 I show this visually to justify and provide reason to my thinking.

Interior pegs (i) = 2

Boundary Pegs (b) Area (A) 3 2 4 3 5 3 6 4 7 4 8 5

Since I have already calculated that by adding 1 interior peg (i), I was able to fill in this chart without drawing out each figure. Now, I will go ahead and try and find a formula so that you can find area (A) with knowing (b) and (i). I know that +1(b) = + for (A) and +1(i) = +1 for (A) If I start will figuring out (i) because I find it easier to work with a whole number versus a fraction. I believe that I could use + (i) in the formula because depending on what (i) is, it is a simple calculation. To explain further, if (i) =1 it was +1 to the (A), when (i)=2 it was +2 to the (A). Therefore, if (i)=65 it would be +65 to the (A). Now, I have to calculate (b) into this formula. It is important to note that (b) always started at 3. I know that (b) = 1 would not be a polygon because it is a single dot, and (b) =2 would form a line which is not considered a polygon. Therefore, (b) starts at 3 because that is the least amount of boundary pegs required to create a polygon. When (b) increase by 1, (A) only increase by 1/2. We could incorporate (b) into my formula by saying b/2. I will now test my formula to see if it is accurate based on what I have. b/2 +(i) = A I will use the first column of data on this page and see if my formula works. 3/2 + 2 = 3.5 WRONG My answer was 1 off so I will change my formula to subtract one and I know it will be correct for this data. I will test my new formula with the second column of data. b/2 + (i) 1 = A 4/2 + 2 1 = 3 CORRECT I believe the error is because I did not incorporate the idea that you must have 3 (b) to be considered a polygon, so the minimum of (b) is 3. Since I already took

half of b (b/2) I know that I cannot have 1 or 2 (b) and half of 2 is one. With that being said, I know that there is an alternate formula. (b-2)/2 + (i) = A I will know test this formula with a variety of results: (4-2)/2 + 2 = 3 CORRECT (3-2)/2 + 0 = CORRECT (8-2)/2 + 1 = 4 CORRECT I can conclude that Picks formula works with either of the formulas that I figured out. (b-2)/2 + (i) = A Or b/2 + (i) 1 = A